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2020 Painting Guide for Commercial Properties in Florida

Paint colors can induce a variety of emotions, from anxiety to peace and serenity. Color also has the ability to impact employee productivity due to the associated feelings it elicits among men and women, which can be vastly different. Plus, we know how important branding is to a business’s success and color in itself can be part of your brand. This makes choosing the perfect paint color(s) for your commercial building one of the most important decisions you can make for your business

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing an exterior paint color for your commercial building:

Consider your building’s architecture – Your building’s exterior materials (like wood, brick, metal, etc.) determine the appearance of the paint color and how long it’ll last. For example, wood requires a different painting technique than concrete, and the natural wood chips a lot faster than concrete.

Look at your surroundings – Take things like landscaping, color of surrounding sidewalks and parking lots, the color of nearby buildings and your neighborhood into consideration. Choose a color that complements your landscaping if you have bright flowers or lush grass. If you have neutral sidewalks, parking structures or neighboring buildings, decide if you want your building to blend in or stand out.

Take into account your brand – Your commercial building is the first impression you will make with customers and tenants. Think about what you want its look to convey on first sight. Complement your brand by utilizing colors that reflect your style guidelines to ensure a consistent brand. If your company is a fun start-up, you will probably want to experiment with color whereas professional service companies may want to use more traditional neutral colors or shades.

Look at what’s trending – Pantone’s “Color of the Year” sets the tone across many industries, including home décor, clothing, and tech, and is a great place to start your research.

When it comes to choosing a paint color for the interior, gender and job function are big influencers of how color is perceived.

A study by the University of British Columbia shows the color red increases performance in employees who have detail-oriented assignments, so it’s a productive color for professions like sales or manual labor since it raises heart rate and blood pressure.

Blue is a calming color that promotes communication and collaboration, making it a great choice for meeting rooms. A national survey of 1,000 office workers found blue to be their preferred hue. One researcher concluded that the perfect palette balances relaxing blue-green with accents of motivating, soft red.

A bright yellow can cause anxiety for some, so it’s better used as an accent color since it does have some positive attributes for certain professions. Those in creative positions find yellow to be optimistic and fun so when combined with a calming color like blue it boosts focus.

Green is another color that has a calming effect and promotes creativity.

Gray can be too calming, eliciting depression and hibernation.

In the end, everyone perceives color based on their personal experiences so there isn’t one perfect color to paint your offices and cubicles to increase productivity.

For more than 30 years, A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing has been dedicated to making sure your project is done correctly, on time, every time. Let us help you choose a color palette that works for your commercial building. Check our references, see our work and give us a call at (954) 370-9707.

Do you Live in a Condominium or High-Rise Building in South Florida? See Our Checklist for Condo Re-Painting Projects.

The decision to repaint a condo is usually made by an association, so reaching a consensus when it comes to color, cost and work plan may be difficult. But one thing everyone can agree on is the need for a quality and professional paint job. To maintain your residents’ investment, here is a checklist of things for condo associations to keep in mind when beginning a repainting project:

Involve the Owners

A home is one of the biggest investments a person can make, so continued maintenance is important to most homeowners. Before you choose a commercial painting contractor, communicate with owners your vision, scope of work, the process for selecting a condo painter, and involve them in the process of selecting colors. If their daily lives will be impacted in any way, make your residents aware well in advance. A fresh coat of paint can also bring attention to other areas that are looking drab so consider any additional services, like pressure cleaning, that may be needed.

Know The Type of Paint You Want to Use

The old adage is true: You get what you pay for. High-quality paint produces high-quality results. Decide which paint manufacturer you would like to use. The best way to do this is by asking colleagues, other commercial building owners, partners or industry experts. Once you have selected a preferred manufacturer, your next step is to find a commercial painting contractor, preferably one who is familiar with applying your paint of choice. It’s always best to ask for referrals from colleagues and/or ask your prospective condo painters for references and follow up with them. Also, try to find a condo painter who offers ton waterproofing in case issues are spotted during the project. If your building is a high-rise, look for painters who specialize in high-rise painting.

Find a Full-Service Company

Save yourself
time by hiring a full-service
painting company that also offers additional services like pressure
cleaning and concrete repairs. These services are essential in preparing the
building’s surface and ensuring a long-lasting paint coating. If there are
cracks or leaks to the exterior of your building, a painting company that
specializes in waterproofing
and sealants
is necessary.

Finalize the Contract

The contract is
especially important as the project is an investment made by the condo’s HOA.
After selecting a commercial painting contractor, read over the terms of the
contract carefully. Note the scope of work, project timeline, and that it
specifies the type of paint and products that will be used. Make sure any
additional services like waterproofing is included.

Once your project plan is finalized, share it with the residents so everyone is aware of how long the project will take, who will be on-site and what, if any, impact it will have on their daily lives during the duration of the project.

For more than 30
years, A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing has been dedicated to making sure
your project is done correctly, on time, every time. Check our references, see our work and give us a call
at (954) 370-9707.

Checklist for Hiring a Commercial Painting Contractor in South Florida

The decision to
paint your commercial building is one that should not be taken lightly. There’s
the cost, potential impact on business, disruptions to employee working
conditions, and much more. But there’s no need to fret – we’re here to help!
We’ve put our more than 30 years of experience in commercial painting and
waterproofing to work for you by creating this handy checklist of things to
consider before hiring a commercial
painting contractor.

Before you get
your business painted, be sure you cover all bases by asking for the following
information:

Painting Licenses

All professional commercial painting contractors in Florida must have a contractor license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board. There is no license specific to painting work, so a general license will cover any work done. This contractor’s license can be for residential work, commercial work or both. The State of Florida has two types of licenses: registered and certified. A registered contractor is licensed to work at a local level. A certified contractor can work anywhere in the state. A painting contractor should have at least 4 years of working experience and must have passed the state certification exam. In order to obtain the license, a contractor is required to:

Show proof of at least 4 years
of experience

Pass the state certification
exam

Show proof of Workers’
Compensation if you have employees

Bonding

A Florida
Contractor License Bond is often required by the State of Florida and its local
municipalities of general, electrical, roofing, HVAC, and other types of
contractors. The Florida Contractor License Bond typically seeks to ensure that
a contractor will adhere to state statutes and local municipal codes. Some
forms of these bonds are often referred to as Florida Code Compliance Surety
Bonds.

Insurance

Insurance not only protects the painting contractor but it also prevents you from being held responsible for any injuries occurred during the project. General liability insurance protects paint contractors from bodily injury and property damage claims. Another must-have is the Workers’ Compensation which covers employees’ job-related injuries. Contractors are required to make certain that all sub-contractors have the required Workers’ Comp Insurance before they begin work on a project.

Quality of Materials

The quality of
paint and other materials used will determine how professional your finished
product looks. Have the brand names of the paint in writing, as well as any
other materials used, and check that all cans are sealed before they’re opened
for use on your project.

Check References

Reputation matters. Be sure to not only get the names of recommendations from your contractor but ask for work samples and follow up with customer recommendations to make sure they are a good fit. Ask them about the experience and professionalism of the team, if expectations were met, etc.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Once the project
is complete, confirm that an inspection will be conducted with the contractor
to ensure the end product meets and exceeds your expectations. If it doesn’t,
clarify if they have a “satisfaction guaranteed” process.

Value

While it can be tempting to save money and go for the lowest bid, make sure the contractor is not sacrificing quality in order to come in with the lowest bid, which is, unfortunately, a common practice. Ask about the qualifications of the team who will be working on your project, materials used, who will be leading the project, etc. A professional painting company will provide you with a solid work plan.

For more than 30
years, A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing has been dedicated to making
sure your project is done correctly, on time, every time. Check our references,
see our work and give us a
call at (954) 370-9707.

Humidity,
constant sunshine and rainy summers – Floridians deal with these elements every
day. But so does your commercial building. It is exposed to the elements 356
days of the year, so protecting your exterior from potential damage is an
important factor in preventing damage to your structure and ensuring your
business operations aren’t impacted by emergency repairs that could have easily
(and inexpensively) been prevented.

Here are 5 early warning signs that your building needs commercial waterproofing:

Coating Bubbles

Heat and water can cause your paint
to become loose from its foundation. Liquid-filled osmotic blistering is one of
the most common failure modes for coatings in wet service environments and is
often due to a poor coatings process. Non-osmotic blistering occurs when
bubbles form within or on one of the surfaces of a coating. Bubbles or blisters
on the lower portion of your wall mean that water might be invading your
structure from groundwater making its way up, a poor damp-proof course, or high
exterior ground levels. Waterproofing with a strong PVC plastic is the best
solution for rising damp. A chemical or physical waterproof barrier can also be
built to keep moisture out.

Penetrating Dampness

Mold and musty smells can be signs of cracks in your exterior wall, a roof leak or poor waterproofing. Indoor leaks in more rigid areas call for cement waterproofing, whereas those in areas that require more flexibility should use a rubbery waterproofing membrane. If you’re in need of something in the middle, the bituminous coating provides strong reinforcement and is the solution for ceiling leaks and the like. This coating is self-adhesive and provides a barrier through the combination of polymers and asphalt. Flat roofs need a stronger coating such as a polyurethane liquid membrane.

Changes to Your Flooring

Warped wooden floors are a clear sign of moisture absorption. For tile, loosening is indicative of moisture and for concrete floors, look for a floor that pops out. The ASTM F-2170 standard uses thermo-hygrometer probes to diagnose humidity deep within the flooring to determine where waterproofing is needed. A solution like a sealant installation with waterproof epoxy can protect cement floors from rising and penetrative damp.

Efflorescence

Water-soluble salt floating through
and rising to the surface of your mortar is apparent when you see white powder
on the surface. Even though you can clean off the powder, the root of the
problem will still exist. Waterproofing should be performed after determining
the source of the moisture.

Condensation

Condensation leads to mold which leads to
potential health issues for your buildings’ occupants. Anti-condensation paint
is an effective waterproofing solution, along with sealants and insulation
suitable for your building. These keep surfaces warm to prevent additional condensation.

Regular inspections of your commercial building help identify potential moisture issues before they become emergencies. Be sure to call a commercial waterproofing contractor at the first sign of water damage. For more than 30 years, A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing has been dedicated to making sure your project is done correctly, on time, every time. Check our references, see our work and give us a call at (954) 370-9707.

The decision to
paint your commercial building is one that should not be taken lightly. There’s
the cost, potential impact on business, disruptions to employee working
conditions, and much more. But there’s no need to fret – we’re here to help!
We’ve put our more than 30 years of experience in commercial painting and
waterproofing to work for you by creating this handy checklist of things to
consider before hiring a commercial
painting contractor.

Before you get your business painted, be sure you cover all bases by asking for the following information:

Painting Contractors License Florida

All professional commercial painting contractors in Florida must have a contractor license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board. There is no license specific to painting work, so a general license will cover any work done. This contractor’s license can be for residential work, commercial work or both. The State of Florida has two types of licenses: registered and certified. A registered contractor is licensed to work at a local level. A certified contractor can work anywhere in the state. A painting contractor should have at least 4 years of working experience and must have passed the state certification exam. In order to obtain the license, a contractor is required to:

Show proof of at least 4 years of experience

Pass the state certification exam

Show proof of Workers’ Compensation if you have employees

Project Bonding

A Florida Contractor License Bond is often required by the State of Florida and its local municipalities of general, electrical, roofing, HVAC, and other types of contractors. The Florida Contractor License Bond typically seeks to ensure that a contractor will adhere to state statutes and local municipal codes. Some forms of these bonds are often referred to as Florida Code Compliance Surety Bonds.

Insurances

Insurance not only protects the painting contractor but it also prevents you from being held responsible for any injuries occurred during the project. General liability insurance protects paint contractors from bodily injury and property damage claims. Another must-have is Workers’ Compensation which covers employees’ job-related injuries. Contractors are required to make certain that all sub-contractors have the required Workers’ Comp Insurance before they begin work on a project.

Quality of Materials

The quality of
paint and other materials used will determine how professional your finished
product looks. Have the brand names of the paint in writing, as well as any
other materials used, and check that all cans are sealed before they’re opened
for use on your project.

Ask for Customer References

Reputation matters. Be sure to not only get the names of recommendations from your painting contactor but ask for work samples and follow up with customer recommendations to make sure they are a good fit. Ask them about the experience and professionalism of the team, if expectations were met, etc.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Once the project
is complete, confirm that an inspection will be conducted with the contractor
to ensure the end product meets and exceeds your expectations. If it doesn’t,
clarify if they have a “satisfaction guaranteed” process.

Best Overall Value

While it can be tempting to save money and go for the lowest bid, make sure the contractor is not sacrificing quality in order to come in with the lowest bid, which is, unfortunately, a common practice. Ask about the qualifications of the team who will be working on your project, materials used, who will be leading the project, etc. A professional painting company will provide you with a solid work plan.

For more than 30
years, A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing has been dedicated to making
sure your project is done correctly, on time, every time. Check our references,
see our work and give us a
call at (954) 370-9707.

Does your building show signs that it is time to repaint? See our tips below on when to call a commercial painting contractor.

Do it yourself (DIY) projects are everywhere you look, from TV shows and magazines to Pinterest. But even if you are up for a good challenge, there are some projects that are best left to the professionals. Before you pick up that paintbrush, consider these situations where help from a commercial painter contractor is the better option.

You Have an Old Building

Buildings constructed before 1978 most likely have paint that contains lead. Normal renovation activities like repainting can release the lead in lead-based paint, exposing tenants and others in and around these buildings to dangerous levels of lead. Even minimal exposure can harm those who are exposed regularly, especially young children, unborn children, and pregnant women. Precautions must be taken for complete removal or abatement, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines as “permanent containment or encapsulation of” lead-based paint, and should be done by an experienced contractor. Professional contractors use a certified hazardous waste disposal company to ensure the contaminated material is disposed of correctly. If it’s not, you can be charged and possibly fined for illegally trying to dump hazardous materials, so be sure to hire an experienced contractor with credentials and references.

There’s a Lot of Prep Work

With stylish prints and attractive new materials, wallpaper is making a comeback. But there’s one big difference with today’s wallpaper – it’s much easier to remove. New technology like adhesive formulas that peel off walls without leaving a residue is a large part of the appeal now. And there’s a reason for that. If you have an older condominium or other building that has outdated wallpaper, removal can be messy and time-consuming, involving steaming and scraping. Save yourself the headache of removing older wallpaper and use a painting contractor.

Things Are Getting Heavy

Moving heavy
furniture can be dangerous, and is definitely not fun. Leave it to the pros to
make sure your furniture is protected.

You’re Coming Up Short

Let’s face it –
in a commercial building, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to get to and
they are often out of reach. Safety is key, so hire a professional to take care
of those hard-to-reach spots and everything else.

Your Building Has Character

Decorative moldings, unique lighting fixtures, and detailed railings are design elements that set your building apart from others and give it character. They can also pose an obstacle when adding a fresh coat of paint. In cases like these, hire a professional to ensure a polished look and safeguard your accessories.

For more than 30
years, A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing has been dedicated to making
sure your project is done correctly, on time, every time. Check our references,
see our work and give us a
call at (954) 370-9707.

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About Us

A-1 Tropic Painting and Waterproofing is a family owned and operated commercial painting contractor serving customers in Soth Florida and Central Florida. In businessnes since 1983, our expereienced team of commercial painters specializes in repainting and waterproofing occupied buildings with minimal interuptions to your business.
No matter how complex your painting job is, rest assured that A-1 Tropic’s commercial painting team will do whatever it takes to get the job done right.